"We want to protect our children whose psyches have not formed from the propaganda of drug use, drunkenness and non-traditional sexual relations," Vitaly Mutko said at a press conference at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, according to an Associated Press report.

His statements came a day after two Russian athletes celebrated on the podium with a kiss that drew lots of attention on Twitter. It was unclear whether Tatyana Firova and Kseniya Ryzhova were making a political statement when they kissed after winning gold in the women's 4x400-meter relay on Saturday.

Mutko added Sunday that Russia's law won't infringe on the rights of athletes and fans attending next year's Winter Games in Sochi. "I can say once again that the freedoms of Russian and foreign athletes and guests who come to Sochi will be absolutely protected," Mutko said.

The controversy has made headlines at the world championships, which ended in Moscow on Sunday, as athletes have expressed their opinions about the law. Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer had their nails painted in rainbow colors. Tregaro posted on Instagram "Nails painted in the colors of the rainbow" with several hashtags, including "#pride" and "#moscow2013."

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva condemned homosexuality and voiced her support of the law, saying the Swedish athletes were "unrespectful to our country." She added: "If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people."

Isinbayeva later backed off her comments, saying she may have been misunderstood.

IOC president Jacques Rogge has asked for clarification from the Russian government on how the law will be enforced next February during the Olympics.